The Distillery Revival
Honestly, when we first walked into this 1890s warehouse, we thought maybe we'd bitten off more than we could chew. Crumbling brickwork, sketchy floors... but man, those original timber beams! Spent 18 months carefully restoring what mattered while sneaking in modern climate control and accessibility features.
Heritage Restoration
Rosedale Passive House
Our clients wanted something that didn't scream "look at me, I'm eco-friendly!" while still hitting near-zero energy consumption. Triple-glazed windows, airtight envelope, the works - but wrapped in a design that fits right into the neighborhood. Their heating bill last winter? $47 for the entire season.
Residential Architecture
King West Tech Hub
Five floors of collaborative workspace that doesn't feel like you're working in a fishbowl. Green roof, rainwater collection, and enough natural light that people actually want to show up on Mondays. Well, maybe that's pushing it, but the client's retention rate did go up 23%.
Commercial Design
Junction Triangle Revitalization
Turned an underused industrial area into something people actually want to walk through. Mixed-use development with affordable housing (yeah, really), local retail spaces, and a community garden that's become the neighborhood's unofficial gathering spot. Took three years of community meetings but totally worth it.
Urban Planning
Old City Hall Annex
Talk about pressure - working on a designated heritage building while the whole city's watching. We restored the original masonry, fixed the leaky copper roof, and somehow managed to install modern HVAC without destroying any historical features. Learned more about Victorian-era construction than I ever thought I'd need to know.
Heritage Restoration
Leslieville Lane Houses
Six narrow-lot townhouses that don't feel cramped - that was the challenge. Lots of skylights, open floor plans, and strategic placement of windows for cross-ventilation. Plus green roofs that actually reduce the urban heat island effect. Neighbors were skeptical at first but now they're asking if we can do their blocks too.
Residential Architecture
Harbourfront Market Hall
Converting an old shipping warehouse into a year-round food market wasn't exactly straightforward. Had to preserve the industrial character while making it comfortable in both summer heat and winter cold. Those massive sliding doors? Original. The geothermal heating system underneath? Definitely not.
Commercial Design
Bloor Street Greenway
What happens when you actually prioritize pedestrians and cyclists over cars? You get a street people enjoy being on. Bioswales for stormwater management, native plantings, wider sidewalks - basic stuff that somehow took forever to get approved. But watching families use it now? Makes all those city council meetings worthwhile.
Urban Planning
High Park Addition
Our clients loved their 1920s home but needed more space. Instead of the usual awkward bump-out, we designed an addition that looks like it's always been there - while secretly being super energy-efficient. Sometimes the best modern architecture doesn't announce itself.
Residential Architecture
Trinity Community Space
Turning a decommissioned church into a community center while respecting its history was... interesting. Kept the stained glass, vaulted ceilings, and stone facade. Added accessibility features and flexible spaces that work for everything from yoga classes to concerts. The acoustics are still incredible.
Heritage Restoration
Liberty Village Studios
Creative firms need creative spaces, right? We gave them high ceilings, tons of natural light, and enough electrical capacity to power their entire server farm. Plus a rooftop patio that's become their unofficial after-work hangout spot. Sometimes the best design features are the unplanned ones.
Commercial Design
Beaches Net-Zero Residence
Built to produce as much energy as it uses over a year. Solar panels, ground-source heat pump, super-insulated walls - the whole package. What's cool is you'd never know from the street. Just looks like a nice beach cottage, but it's basically a power plant that happens to be really comfortable to live in.
Residential Architecture